26 tourists have been confermed dead after coach explodes in Taiwan

At least 26 people are dead after a tourist bus smashed into a motorway guardrail in Taiwan and exploded into flames, it is reported.

The vehicle was travelling along an airport expressway in the island's Taoyuan region when it crashed into the railing and caught fire. Everyone onboard died, including at least 24 holidaymakers, the driver and the tour guide, according to Chinese media and officials.

Dramatic photos of the scene show the bus parked at the side of the expressway, surrounded by raging flames and thick black smoke. Several men can be seen desperately trying to extinguish the blaze with small extinguishers as they wait for firefighters to arrive.

The cause of the smash is currently unclear.